Definition

Noun: A classic French blend of finely chopped, fresh, delicate herbs, typically used to flavor dishes. The mixture is defined by its use of soft, aromatic herbs, not dried or woody ones.

Usage Notes

• "Fines herbes" is a culinary term used as a singular collective noun (like "salt" or "pepper"). You treat it as one ingredient.
• It is added at the end of cooking or used raw as a garnish to preserve its fresh, bright flavor.
• It is traditionally a specific combination, not a generic term for any chopped herbs.

Examples

• The chef garnished the soup with a sprinkle of fines herbes.
• A classic fines herbes mixture includes parsley, chives, tarragon, and chervil.
• For a lighter flavor, she prefers an omelet with fines herbes over one with stronger dried herbs.

Advanced Usage

• "à la fines herbes": A French phrase meaning "in the style of fines herbes," describing a dish prepared or garnished with this herb blend.
  • The chicken was prepared à la fines herbes, giving it a wonderfully fresh aroma.

Variants and Related Words

• Herbes de Provence (noun): A related but distinct dried herb blend from Provence, France, typically containing stronger, woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, and savory.

Synonyms

• Fresh herb blend
• Chopped herbs (though this is a generic description, not the specific classic mixture)

Related Phrases

• Garnish with fresh herbs: A more general instruction that could include fines herbes.
• Aromatic herbs: Describes herbs used for their fragrance, which includes those in fines herbes.

Noun

1. a mixture of finely chopped fresh herbs
   • an omelet flavored with fines herbes